11/18/2020
Congratulations Bradley Price on his North Carolina buck. Possible new state record!
On Sept 13th 2020 I harvested this 12 pointer that I watched for 4 years. He's known for sure to be 6.5 years old but believed to be 7.5 still waiting confirmation for that. At the age 3.5 or 4.5 he was a nice typical 8 along with others just like him. However he wasn't stuck on my new spot, him being mature meaning he didn't stick around much that year. The next year he was a 9 with 3 kickers, and as fate would have it he still only came curtain times that year once in June to show me he was alive then again in mid October as if he was checking his breeding grounds. It wasn't untill late Nov and most of Dec I'd see much of him. Then came 2019 he started growing hes rack twice as fast as other deer like he had been doing years prior. I noticed now as a beautiful 10 he was starting to get more comfortable to my spot. He then came for a week or 2 every month then nothing till about Oct. I couldn't help but think of the one thing my dad always told me they get big when they get old. So therefore I told myself, if he makes it till late Dec without getting shot I'll let him walk one more year. I am so glad we both did just that. 2020 he disappeared after dropping his rack for about a month then the camera was his comfort spot. I got pictures weekly every month 2 to 4 times a week. I got to see my food plot along with minerals I mixed myself, do there job. It's like he wouldn't stop growing till late Aug lol. Mean while he had one signature move only he distinctly did which was this tree he stops at to check the wind before coming into eat. I noticed a big rack stop at that tree. I then started looking for the 2 distinct kickers, sure enough it was him. Then as not intended but can't seem to stop the buck fever took over. He walked forward and stood there facing me. At 35 yards I was ready, safety off, finger straight and off the trigger, telling myself once he turns this, painfully nerve racking 4 year quest that I sowed upon myself I'm finnaly going to reap. Then after 15 minutes, he turned and without hesitation I sent a blistering bolt from my Scorpyd Aculeus his way. It was a perfect broadside double lung shot at 7:13pm. The journey he and I shared was now over. He ran about 40 to 50 yards and fell into about a 6ft deep ditch, wouldn't you know. There I felt a scence of relief and accomplishment. Anyways this is a broken down version of the story of me and this beautiful buck that tought me so much about the sport of hunting in which I love and is a way of life for me. I have to say I'll miss seeing this deer on camera for years to come. It's been a blessing to watch his life unfold to be and old mature king of a Whitetail, and most importantly I thank God for such a privilege to participate in the outdoors, and for a wife that puts up with my obsession.